It's where you sit down that determines everything in life. One Vacant Chair is a hilarious and gripping novel by New York Times Notable Book of the Year author Joe Coomer, whom the Washington Times calls a marvelously creative comic writer.

As the owner of several antique stores in Texas, Joe Coomer has an affinity for old chairs. So much so that the main character of his latest novel, Aunt Edna, paints portraits of them. Not people in chairs, just chairs. At the funeral of Grandma Hutton - whom Edna has cared for through an agonizingly long and vague illness - Sarah begins helping her aunt clean up the last of a life. This includes honoring Grandma's wish to have her ashes scattered in Scotland - although she had never left the state of Texas.

We were two fat women, eighteen years apart, a chair artist and a designer of Christmas ornaments, who only knew we had troubles and a hot summer to get through, says Sarah. But as it turns out, there is a great deal more to her quirky aunt's troubles than Sarah could possibly imagine. As the novel turns from the oppressive heat of Texas to the cool, misty beauty of Scotland, she learns of her Aunt Edna's remarkable secret life and comes to fully understand the fragile business of living and even dying.

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Listener Opinions

by Ross | 2/5/2014

" I think I am going to be reading all of his books .... "

by Rhapsodyblue00 | 1/23/2014

" "Its where you sit down that determines everything in life." Most readers will recognize some of themselves and the people they love and hate in this book. Aside from the story itself, this book's greatest strength is in its vivid descriptions. Coomer captures nuances with absolutely wonderful skill, and he is able to use similes and metaphors that resonated in my very soul. This novel captures the agony of life decisions pertaining to becoming a full-time caretaker and accepting what family members can and cannot do for family members with long term illnesses - especailly from a distance. In addition to everything else this book is about two women at turning points in their lives who embark on an adventure, that takes them from the hot oppressive heat of Fort Worth, Texas to the misty beauty of Scotland. Coomer draws Edna and Sarah on this journey with ease and beauty. Sarah and Edna both have secrets, and along the way, Sarah learns of her Aunt's remarkable secret life and comes to fully understand the fragile business of living and even of dying. ** Just a note. I was the full time caretaker of my Mother in her last years, and less than a month ago, she passed away. Her life did not mirror either of these women, but even given the heavy sadness one feels about the loss of a loved one, and the watching of their lives fade away, there was a brief few hours of bliss while I enjoyed this wonderful book. Read it, you won't be disappointed. "

by Karla | 1/21/2014

" I loved this book especially the quirky way he described a lead character -- a painter of chairs. "

by Tobi Evangelisti | 1/18/2014

" I really enjoyed this book on several levels. I liked the reality of the relationships. I liked the topic of choosing the end of life and liked the thoughts around choosing where you sit in life. "

" It is clear to me that Joe Coomer is a man surrounded by amazing women. How else can a male author delve in to a woman's heart, soul, and mind so thoroughly? My favorite Coomer novel to date. I read it slowly, so as to not miss the beautiful prose, the imagery, and incredible dialogue. It was sad to turn the last page and leave these characters. "

Maria | 1/4/2014

" I quit this one half-way through. It just didn't grab me the way Beachcombing for a Shipwrecked God and Pocketful of Names did. I could not bring myself to care about the characters at all. "

Cindy | 12/28/2013

" Beautifully written! Very funny and poignant. "

Joanne | 12/23/2013

" Love this book so far....the characters come alive as if the author is painting pictures of them. I'll probably never look at chairs in the same way! "

Carla | 11/27/2013

" I received this book a while back as a gift from my sister-in-law who trolls the Bas Bleu catalog for book recs. I don't remember the full story line for this book but I remember I really loved it. Surprisingly satisfying -- good find! "

Nan | 11/11/2013

" A little too slow moving for me. Just okay. "

Kimberly | 9/24/2013

" Sweet, moving story. Lovable characters, with some good twists and turns along the way. (and the descriptions of Scotland made me want to see it for myself.) "

Barbara Vinocur | 9/6/2013

" Loved his book Beachcombing For A Shipwreaked God. "

Toni | 7/5/2013

" THought -provoking. "

Kathy Mandle | 6/18/2013

" Loved all the characters! "

Marilyn | 5/6/2013

" Wonderful and amusing. "

Amy | 6/8/2012

" Great book! Thanks, Cindy, for the recommendation! "

jeanne | 1/13/2012

" I just didn't care for this book. I didn't care for the characters, I didn't care what was happening and I didn't care what was going to happen. Actually, it felt like NOTHING was going on at all. I am still trying to figure out why so many people like this book. "

Suzie | 8/14/2011

" A poignant novel about life, death, and family. "

Nan | 6/22/2011

" A little too slow moving for me. Just okay.
"

Dorothy | 2/19/2011

" quirky Texas family, an aunt who paints chairs, only chairs, her dying wish and a complicated bi-racial relationship. Laughter and tears.
"

Jo Ann | 8/23/2010

" I really liked this book a LOT...I continued to be surprised that the author's a male. I liked the 2 main characters, and they're both a hoot!
"

jeanne | 8/3/2010

" I just didn't care for this book. I didn't care for the characters, I didn't care what was happening and I didn't care what was going to happen. Actually, it felt like NOTHING was going on at all. I am still trying to figure out why so many people like this book.
"

Beth | 6/5/2010

" This is the next book for the neighborhood book club.
"

Jacqueline | 2/2/2010

" I read this for a bookclub. Not really my cup of tea. I read the first third and the last third. The writing and imagery were good.
"

Alison | 1/20/2010

" Among my favorite people in life are the lunch ladies in the school cafeterias and artists...this book's main character is both....a quiet, unassuming Yoda in a lunch ladies' uniform....
"

Liz | 12/31/2009

" This book was slow to get started but it picked up midway through. I'm glad I stuck with it. A nice message and lots of good book club potential. Not a book I would have chosen off the shelves but I'm glad I read it. Looking forward to discussing it next week.
"

Karla | 10/27/2009

" I loved this book especially the quirky way he described a lead character -- a painter of chairs.
"

Carla | 10/20/2009

" I received this book a while back as a gift from my sister-in-law who trolls the Bas Bleu catalog for book recs. I don't remember the full story line for this book but I remember I really loved it. Surprisingly satisfying -- good find!
"

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